Revolving sign



April 20, 1965 H. c. HAMMER REVOLVING SIGN 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 31, 1962 H- C. HAMMER REVOLVING SIGN April 20, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 51, 1962 A ril 20, 1965 Filed Oct. 51, 1962 H. c. HAMMER Y 3,178,843

REVOLVING SIGN 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Wz'me ymmew United States Patent 3,178,843 REVQLVING SIGN Hierne C. Hammer, 6N-130Rte. 53, Itasca, Ill. Filed Get. 31, 1962, Ser. No. 234,303 11 Claims. (Cl. 40-77) This invention relates to a revolving sign, and is particularly concerned with means for creating an illusion of an object revolving in space without visible means of support.

The sign constructed in accordance with the present invention comprises two associated hollow body members, each mounted on a rotatable shaft, and masking means in the form of an engirdling strip concealing the gap between the hollow members. In one embodiment, the hollow members are hemispherical in shape, and the engirdling strip is a circular ring. The sign may be adapted for mounting on either a vertical wall or a substantially horizontal support. The engirdling strip is rigidly secured to one of the hollow body members and revolves therewith. In furtherance of the illusion of a unitary body revolving in space, in signs to be displayed above eye level the engirdling strip is secured to the lower hollow body member, and in signs to be displayed below eye level the strip is secured to the upper hollow body member.

The sphere shown in the drawing is preferably translucent, with one or more light bulbs mounted within the sphere to shine through its outer surface and enhance its visible appeal. In the embodiment shown, the rotatable shafts extend along an axis of the sphere, and thus the light bulbs are offset laterally from said axis. It is preferred to use two light bulbs adjacent the center of the sphere to provide substantially uniform illumination that will appear as if it is emanating from a light source located at the center of the sphere.

The inner hollow hemispherical body members forming an inner sphere concentric with the outer sphere and interposed between the light bulbs and the outer sphere may be transparent or translucent, and are provided with a closely spaced series of small protuberances of identical configuration that form individual convex lenses. These lenses cooperate with lenses formed by similar protuberances on the outer hollow hemispherical body members to impart a scintillating effect to the light shining through the outer sphere when either sphere is rotated in concentric relationship to the other, except in the area of a centrally disposed band defined by the engirdling ring. If the protuberances are omitted, either sphere may revolve about its axis, but the scintillating light effect will not be attained. The outer or inner hollow hemispherical body members may be of any color, but preferably the inner members are not colored and the outer members are colored alike.

The engirdling ring preferably has a transparent inner strip and a translucent outer strip of any desired color, but preferably different from the color of the outer spheres. The engirdling ring provides a band of light that revolves with the sphere but offers a contrast with the light shining through the hollow hemispherical body members because of its color and because it does not have the scintillating effect of the spherical portions of the sign. The translucent outer strip of the engirdling strip may have a cutout design, preferably in the form of letters spelling out the name of a product, or some similar advertising message. The transparency of the letters causes them to stand out in bold relief as the light shines through them.

The advertising design does not have to be transparent, but may be made to stand out in other ways. For example, the engirdling ring may be transparent or translucent, and the advertising design may be opaque. The only essential requirement of the advertising design is that with ice interior lighting as described, the capacity of the design to transmit light must differ from the light transmitting capacity of the contiguous area of the engirdling ring. If desired, the outer sphere may also contain an advertising message made conspicuous by the light shining through the sphere, either with or without the scintillating effect.

A motor for rotating the shafts is mounted on a support bar fixed to a vertical wall or to a substantially horizontal surface. The inner sphere is also fixed to the sup port bar. The fixed support bar is effectively concealed by the engirdling ring so that the structure that causes the outer sphere and the engirdling ring to revolve is not obvious even upon close inspection.

The rotating shafts are preferably provided with a friction clutch interposed therebetween so that if a person holds either or both hemispheres against rotation the motor will continue to operate without damage to either the motor or to the shaft connections.

The structure by means of which the above mentioned and other advantages of the invention are attained is described in detail in the following specifications, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating two preferred embodiments of the invention, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a revolving sign embodying the invention and adapted to be mounted upon the wall of a room or upon a similar vertical surface;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the sign shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view, taken along the line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view, taken along the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along the line 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the right hand portion of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross sectional view, taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross sectional view, taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of the invention showing a revolving sign adapted to be mounted on a table or similar horizontal support;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of the sign shown in FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a sectional view, taken along the line 1111 of FIG. 10.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8 of the drawings, a box-like base 11 is secured to a wall 12 or other vertical support in any suitable manner. In the drawings the base 11 is indicated as being cylindrical, but it will be understood that it may have any desired configuration. A concave reflector 13 is secured to the front wall 14 of the base in any suitable manner, as, for example, by screws 15. A rigid channel shaped support bar 16 is secured at one end to the front wall 14 of the base by means of screws 17 and projects outwardly therefrom. The support bar is supported at only the end adjacent the base 11, and its other end is unsupported. The screws 17 pass through the portion of the reflector 13 contiguous to the front wall 14. Preferably the central portion of the reflector is flattened to fit against the outer surface of the front wall 14. If desired, the screws 17 may secure both the support bar and the reflector to the receptacle.

The portion of support bar 16 adjacent the front wall 14 is formed into inverted U shape, as indicated at 18, 19 and 20, for a purpose hereinafter disclosed. The support bar 16 is spread laterally outwardly adjacent its longitudinal center to form a shallow, open top housing 21 in which a motor 22 is secured. The motor is secured in place by screws 23 (FIG. 8). The wiring 24 from shown) to permit a driving engagement between motor" 22 and shaft 25. The shafts26 and 27 are centrally disposed, relative to the sign, and it is therefore impossibleto mount a light at the center of the sign. To provide a substantially centrally positioned light source, two light bulbs 30 are mounted in sockets (not shown) carried by a transversely extending strip 31 on opposite sides of shaft 25. The strip 31' is secured to the support bar 16 many suitable manner. The ends of strip 31 are preferably bent downwardly so that the light bulbs are at approximately the same horizontal level as the bar 16.

Two light bulbs 30 are provided to avoid shadows on any part of the surface of the sphere. The wires 33 from the sockets in which the light bulbs 30 are mounted are connected with the wiring 24 from the motor so that the motor andlights are energized simultaneously from the same source.

The light bulbs and the motor are enclosed by a pair each of which is provided with two channel-shaped ears 34' and 35', respectively extending laterally outwardly at diametrically opposite points. The channel-shaped car '34 extending from the upper hollow hemispherical body member 34 faces downwardly to fit over the top of support bar '16, and the. ear 35" extending from the lower member 35 faces upwardly to. fit against the bottom of "support bar 16. The hollow hemispherical body members 34 and 35 are secured to each other, and to the bar 16, by screws 36 that extend through the aligned channelshaped ears of each of the members 34 and 35 and also through the support bar 16. The upper end of each from the light bulbs 30 are transmitted. The lenses concentrate the rays of light impinging on each protuberance into a single bright point to produce a plurality ofseparate bright points instead of an area of uniform illumina- 4 relationship to the member 34, and a lower outer hollow hemispherical body member 46 is similarly secured to shaft 27. Each of these outer hollow hemispherical body membersis apertured to fit on the end of shaft 26 or 27, and is depressed adjacent the aperture, as indicated at 47, 48, respectively. Nuts 49 and 50 project slightly beyond the outer surface of the members 45 and 46, respectively. The nuts 49 and 50 each fit in a depressed area 47 or 48, and secure the outer hollow hemispherical body members 45 and 46 to shafts 2'6, 27. The lower edge of hollow body member 45fitsinto recess 43 of flange 41.

A flange 51 extends laterally outwardly from thetupper edge'of lower outer hollow hemispherical body member 46 and is secured by a plurality of screws 52 to the underside ofanannular flange- 53 extending inwardly ,fromthe lower edge of an engirdling ring 54 adapted to conceal the gap between the'lower edge of hollow body ;of inner hollow hemispherical body members 34 and Y tion that would'otherwise be produced by the light bulbs. i

A clear plastic hemispherical member 38 fits snugly over the outer surface of the upper hollow hemispherical body member 34 and is secured thereto by screws 39. The upper hollow hemispherical body member 34 is apertured and is provided with threaded grommets 40 to receive the screws 39. An annular flange 41 integral with hemispherical member 38 extends laterally outwardly from its lower edge to form a dust ring. The flange 41 is apertured, as indicated at 42, to facilitate concentric alignment of the screws 39 and grommets 4 -6. When the hemisphericalmember 38 is positioned with the apertures 42 fitting over the upper ends of screws 36, the apertures in member 38, through which the screws 39 are adapted to pass, are aligned vertically with the grommets 40. The flange 41 is provided with an intermediate annular recess43 and adownwardly turned lip 43' that add to the rigidity of the flange. One peripheral portion of the flange is cut away, as indicated at 44, to

provide clearance for the upright section 20 of support bar 16 adjacent the base 11. V I

An upper outer hollow hemispherical body member is secured to the rotating'shaft 26 in concentrically spaced below normal, eye level.

member 45 and the upper edge ofhollow body member 46. As shown-best in FIG. 6, metal rings55 and. 56,

secured tothe upper and lower edges of ring 54' are .45 and 46.; Band 59- is provided with a cut-out 60 in any desired shape. The translucency of the masking band 59 reduces the'brightness of the, light passing therethrough in comparison ,to the brightness of the light passing through the cut-out 60 which is not masked, and makes the cut-out stand out in bold relief. The cut-out may be in the form of letters spelling out a name or any suitable advertising message.

, In the embodiment; of FIGS. 1 to 8, the engirdling ring 54 is secured to the] lower outer hollow hemispherical body member 46 and revolves with it as it is rotated'about its axis by the shaft 27. This particular embodiment is intended for installation above eye level, and persons looking at it will not see any apparent gap between the globe and the engirdling ring which appear to be revolving as an integral unit in space without any apparent support. If the sign is to be installed below eye level, the same result is attained by securing the engirdling ring to the upper outer member 45 in they same manner as hereinabove described.

The light raysprojecting'through the hollow body members 34 and 35 pass, through the hollow body members 45 and 4,6;intermittently at closely spaced intervals as the protuberances 61 move relative to the protuberances 37. The intermittent. passage ,of the light rays through the outer body members 45 and 46 provides a scintillating eifect that is very attractive to viewers. The

I engirdling ring 54 with its message standing out-in bold relief appears to be rotating with the sphereas a single unit.

The embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 9, l0.and 11 is essentially the same as the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 8, and the operation is the same. The differences in the two embodiments are in the manner of sup- 1 to 8 is intended to be mounted above normal eye level,

and the device of FIGS. 9 to 11 is intended to be mounted Identical structure will be designated by the same reference numerals, and tion thereof will not be repeated.

' Inthe embodiment of FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, a base 61 "comprises apair of legs 62, secured to a horizontal support surface 63 by screws 63', and upwardly curved semicircular arms 64. The specific shape of the base is not critical as long as a horizontal support is attained." Arms the descrip- 64 are preferably tubular to provide a conduit for the wiring. A channel-shaped support bar 65 has projections 66 at each end secured to the upper ends of arms 64 by screws 67.

A transparent member 68, similar to member 38, is secured to the lower inner hollow body member by screws 69 and is provided at its upper edge with a flange 70 extending laterally outwardly to serve as a dust ring. The flange 70 is cut away, as indicated at 70, to provide clearance for the projections 66 and screws 67. The inner hollow body members 34 and 35 are secured to support bar 65 by means of screws 71. The lower outer hollow body member 46 is secured to the lower end of shaft 27 by a screw 72, similar to screw 50 except that its outer surface is flush with the outer surface of hollow body member 46. The upper hollow body member 45 is provided at its lower edge with a flange 73 secured to the engirdling ring 54 by screws 74. It will be understood that the engirdling ring 54 may be secured to either outer hemispherical hollow body member 45 or 46, whether the device is to be mounted on a vertical or a horizontal support.

Although I have described two preferred embodiments of the invention in considerable detail, it will be understood that the description thereof is intended to be illustrative, rather than restrictive, as many details may be modified or changed without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to be restricted to the exact structure described.

I claim:

1. A revolving sign which comprises: rotating drive means; support means for attaching said drive means to a fixed standard; a two-piece, rotatable, hollow body, said body substantially enclosing said drive means, the two hollow pieces of said rotatable body being spaced from each other on opposite sides of said support means; means for attaching the two pieces of the hollow body to said rotating drive means; and masking means for concealing from the observers view the outer edges of said two hollow pieces and the space separating said two hollow pieces, said masking means being attached to one of said two hollow pieces.

2. A revolving sign which comprises: rotating drive means; support means for attaching said drive means to a fixed standard; a two-piece, rotatable, hollow body, said body substantially enclosing said drive means, the two hollow pieces of said rotatable body being spaced from each other on opposite sides of said support means; means for attaching the two pieces of the hollow body to said rotating drive means; and masking means for concealing from the observers view the outer edges of said two hollow pieces and the space separating said two hollow pieces, said masking means being attached to the lower one of said two pieces of the rotatable hollow body when the sign is designed to be installed above the observers eye level and to the upper one of said two pieces when the sign is designed for installation below the observers eye level.

3. A revolving sign which comprises: rotating drive means; single support means for attaching said drive means to a fixed standard, said support means being connected to said standard at one end only; a two-piece, rotatable, hollow body, said body substantially enclosing said drive means, the two hollow piecm of said rotatable body being spaced from each other on opposite sides of said support means; means for attaching the two pieces of the hollow body to said rotating drive means; and masking means for concealing from the observers view the outer edges of said two hollow pieces and the space separating said two hollow pieces, said masking means being attached to one of said two hollow pieces.

4. A revolving sign which comprises: rotating drive means; support means for attaching said drive means to a fixed U-shaped standard, said support means being connected to the opposite ends of said standard; a two-piece,

rotatable, hollow body, said body substantially enclosing said drive means, one of the two hollow pieces of said rotatable body being positioned between said standard and said support means, said other hollow piece being spaced from said first mentioned hollow piece on the opposite side of said support means; means for attaching the two pieces of the hollow body to said rotating drive means; and masking means for concealing from the observers view the outer edges of said two hollow pieces and the space separating said two hollow pieces, said masking means being attached to one of said two hollow pieces.

5. A revolving sign designed to be installed above the observers eye level which comprises: rotating drive means; support means for attaching said drive means to a fixed standard; a two-piece, rotatable, hollow body having a circular cross section at the region of separation of said two pieces, said body substantially enclosing said drive means, the two hollow pieces of said rotatable body being spaced from each other on opposite sides of said support means; means for attaching the two pieces of the hollow body to said rotating drive means; masking means for concealing from the observers view the space separating the two pieces of said hollow body, said masking means being attached to the lower one of said two pieces of the rotatable hollow body; and an annular dust ring carried by said support means, said dust ring having an inner diameter less than the diameter of the circular mouth of the upper one of said two hollow pieces and being positioned between said upper piece and said masking means.

6. A revolving sign designed to be installed above the observers eye level which comprises: rotating drive means; support means for attaching said drive means to a fixed standard; a two-piece, rotatable, hollow body having a circular cross section at the region of separation of said two pieces, said body substantially enclosing said drive means, the two hollow pieces of said rotatable body being spaced from each other on opposite sides of said support means; means for attaching the two pieces of the hollow body to said rotating drive means; masking means for concealing from the observers view the space separating the two pieces of said hollow body, said masking means being attached to the lower one of said two pieces of the rotatable hollow body and an annular dust ring carried by said support means, said dust ring having an inner diameter less than the diameter of the circular mouth of the upper one of said two hollow pieces, having a groove in its upper surface at its inner edge, and being positioned between said upper piece and said masking means with the wall of said upper piece being received in said inner groove.

7. A revolving sign designed to be installed above the observers eye level which comprises: rotating drive means; single support means for attaching said drive means to a fixed standard, said support means being connected to said drive means at one point only; a spherical, two-piece, rotatable, hollow body having a circular cross section at the region of separation of said two pieces, said body substantially enclosing said drive means, the two hollow pieces of said rotatable body being spaced from each other on opposite sides of said support means; means for attaching the two pieces of the hollow body to said rotating drive means; masking means for concealing from the observers view the space separating the two pieces of said hollow body, said masking means being in the form of an 'engirdling ring and being attached to the lower one of said two pieces of the rotatable hollow body and an annular dust ring carried by said support means, said dust ring having an inner diameter less than the diameter of the circular mouth of the upper one of said two hollow pieces, having a groove in its upper surface at its inner edge, and being positioned between said upper piece and said masking means with the wall of said upper piece being received in said inner groove.

7 v 8. A revolving sign which comprises: supportmeans; two axiallyaligned shafts projecting in opp os ite idirections from saidsu'pport rheans,"a motor se'euredto said 7 andsaid light source, said hollow body members vhaving integral therewith a plurality of protuberances of identical configuration adapted to concentrate light from said'source into a plurality'ofi separate rays directed ouwatrdly' from t cured atone edge tothe'outer edge of one of said outer V wardly fromtsaid-hollow bodylmembers; and a second light-transmitting member comprising two outer Qhollow hemispherical body members, spaced from'each other on opposite sides of said first lightrtransmitting member in concentric relationshi-p'thereto; 'and'masking means at- 1 said hollow body members; and a second light-transmitting member comprising two outerthollow hemispherical body members spaced from each other 'on opposite sides of said *first light-transmitting member in concentric relationship thereto; an engirdling ring spaced outwardly from said outer hollow body members, said engirdling ring being sebody members and extending across the space separating ISElldVOUtI body rnembers" from eachothen anda dust ringextending laterally between the outer surface of -said first light-transmitting member and the outer edgeof said 3 other order body member;said outer hollow body members being fixed to said axially aligned shafts whereby tached to the outer edge of one ofsaid outer hollow body members to conceal from the observers view the space separating said outer hollow body members from each other; said outer hollow bodyfmembersflbeing fixed to said axially aligned shafts'where'by they are rotated ,relative to said inner hollow body members,,saidouter. hollow body members having protuberance's'lsimilar'to those on the inner hollow body members wherebytthe transmission of light rays from said light source through'said second mentioned light-transmitting member is intermittent at- ,closely spaced intervals-to provide a scintillating effect.

9. Atrevolving -sign whichrcomprises: support means;

two axially aligned shafts projecting in'oppo sitedirections from said support means, a motor secured to said support means forrotating said axially alignedwshafts; a light source mountedadjacent saidsupport means; afirst light transmitting member comprising two inner hollow hernispherical body members rigidly securedio said support means, said hollow body members enclosingtsaid ,motor and said lightsource, said hollow'body members having integral therewitha' plurality of protuberances of identical configuration'adapted to concentrate light from said source into a plurality of separate rays directed outwardly from said hollow body members; and a second light-transmitting member com-prisingtwo outer-hollow hemispherical body members spaced from each otheron opposite sides of said first light-transmitting member inconcentric relationship thereto; masking meansattached to-the outer' edge of one of said outer hollow body members and extendingacross the space separatingsaidouter hollow body members from each other; anda dust ringextending laterally from the outer surface of said first light-transmitting member to said masking means; said outer hollow bodymembers being. fixed to said axially aligned shafts whereby theyare rotated relative to said inner hollow body members, said outer hollow body members :having protuberances similar to thoseon the inner hollow bod-y members whereby the transmission of light-rays from said light source through said second mentioned light-transmit ting member is intermittent at closely 'spacedIintervals to provide a scintillating efiect;

10. A revolving sign which comprises; support-means; two axially aligned'shaftsprojecting in opposite directions source mounted adjacent-said support means; a:first lighttr-ansmitting-member comprising two inner hollow "herni spherical body membersrigdily secured to said support means, said hollow body members enclosing said motor {they are rotated relative to' sjaidinner hollow body members, saidouter hollow'body members having protuberances similarto those on the inner 'hollow'body members whereby the transmission of, light rays from said light source through said second mentioned light-transmitting member is intermittent at tclosely spaced intervals to provide a scintillating efiect. 7

11. A revolving sign'which comprises: *support means; 'two axially aligned shafts projecting inopposite directions from said support means, 'a'motor secured to said support means 'for rotatingsaidaxially aligned shafts; a light source mounted adjacent said support means; a first lighttransmitting memberv comprising two inner hollow' hemispherical body rnem-bersrrigidly secured tov said' support means, said hollow body members enclosing said motor and said lighttsource, said hollow body members having integral therewith a plurality of protuberances of identical configuration adapted to concentrate light from said source into" a plurality of separate rays directed outwardly from said hollow body members; and a second light-transmitting member comprising two outer hollow hemispherical body members spaced from. each other on opposite sides of said first light-transmitting member in concentric relationship thereto; said outerhollow body mebmers being fixed to said axially aligned shafts whereby they are rotated relative to said inner hollow body members, said outer hollow body members having protuberances similar to those on the inner hollow body members, whereby thevtransmission of light rays from said light source through said second mentioned light-transmitting member is intermittent at closely spaced intervals toprovide a scintillating effect;

and masking means attached to the outer edge of one of said outerv hollow body members and extending across the spaceseparating said outer hollow body members from 7 each other,'said masking means having areas of diiferent tdegreesvof transparency whereby it providesan annular band of subdued light dividing the areasof scintillating from said support means, a motorsecured to said support 7 means for rotating said axially aligned shafts; alight light, and areas of bright light shining through said annular band of subdued light in bold relief, said areas of bright light being shaped .to presentta selected message.

References Cited in the file of this patent V UNITED STATES PATENTS. 1,136,873 7 Hanscom Apr. 20, 1915 "2,592,286 Jacobs s Apr. 8, 1952' 2,608,779: Joy Sept.'2, 1952 1 [FOREIGN PATENTS 7 7 837,230. France Nov- 3, 1938 

1. A REVOLVING SIGN WHICH COMPRISES: ROTATING DRIVE MEANS; SUPPORT MEANS FOR ATTACHING SAID DRIVE MEANS TO A FIXED STANDARD; A TWO-PIECE, ROTATABLE, HOLLOW BODY, SAID BODY SUBSTANTIALLY ENCLOSING SAID DRIVE MEANS, THE TWO HOLLOW PIECES OF SAID ROTATABLE BODY BEING SPACED FROM EACH OTHER ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID SUPPORT MEANS; MEANS FOR ATTACHING THE TWO PIECES OF THE HOLLOW BODY TO SAID ROTATING DRIVE MEANS; AND MASKING MEANS FOR CONCEALING FROM THE OBSERVER''S VIEW THE OUTER EDGES OF SAID TWO HOLLOW PIECES AND THE SPACE SEPARATING SAID TWO 